Results 21 - 40 of 500
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Reformer Joe Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
21 | Christian Primer Terms? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 18146 | ||
Charis: Not that I haven't read your request that we give OUR answers, but it does sound that what you are looking for is a catechism. Why "re-invent the wheel" when a catechism (such as the Westminster Shorter Catechism or one of the many other evangelical ones) serves the very purpose you are seeking? They are used as educational tools to help seekers/new converts/children grasp the basics of the faith in a manner that is easy to understand. Why don't you take a look and see if this will help, and I am sure that someone on the forum will work with you if that doesn't pan out. A whole host of catechisms can be found at www.reformed.org under the link "Historic Church Documents." Others can be found at www.reformedreader.org under "Baptist Documents." These are worth a looksie for everyone in my opinion, even if you don't agree with every last point of doctrine contained therein. --Joe! |
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22 | What about those who have never heard? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 19782 | ||
pgs: You won't find the answer to your question in the Bible, because your question assumes things that aren't true. Let's look at a part of Romans 3, which gives us a crystal-clear perspective on man's condition: "as it is written, 'THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.'" --Romans 3:10-12 We can point out several things from these few verses, mostly OT quotes: 1. NO ONE is good (cf. Romans 3:23). 2. NO ONE who is not a Christian seeks God, no matter how much they seem to be trying to "pursue truth." They may perhaps be seeking salvation on their own terms, but no one is inclined on his/her own to humbly admit their own helplessness and receive the mercy and forgiveness that comes through the Cross of Christ. God isn't playing "hide-and-seek" with humanity: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." --Romans 1:18-20 God has written the truth upon creation, and upon our hearts (Romans 1-2 reveal this very clearly). Those who have not "heard about Jesus" when they die are still rejecting the truth, so they are indeed without excuse and deserving of Hell. Thanks! --Joe! |
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23 | Who dose not belive in the TERM Trinity? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 20727 | ||
Not me... --Joe! |
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24 | meaning of Life | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 21643 | ||
To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. --Joe! |
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25 | Is it faith or is it mornal? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 21862 | ||
Questions are wonderful, because they lead to answers. It also means that you are actually THINKING about your faith. :) Here are some answers: 1. Christians should look forward to the Second Coming, which is the culmination of history when sin and death are finally conquered once and for all, and we begin our eternity in glory. See 1 Corinthians 5 and Philippians 3:20-21 for an understanding of why His Second Coming is our home-going. 2. The answer to this question seems to be the same as the one for #1. 3. Not all Christians believe in a pre-tribulational Rapture in which people get "left behind." 4. No boredom in heaven: 1 Corinthians 2:9, 1 Peter 1:3-5 5. Not the sinful ones, which is part of the blessing itself. Read 1 Corinthians 15 for an indication of what our resurrected selves will be like. Romans 7 also gives a great picture of how we we shall be set free from our earthly bodies of sin and death. Notice Paul's excitement at the prospect. 6. Satan is going to be taken care of once and for all at the end of time (Revelation 20:10) --Joe! |
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26 | Are new worship songs scripturally OK? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 22212 | ||
Bud: My problem isn't the newness or oldness of the songs, but there are three aspects of "contemporary praise and worship" that I feel are biblically questionable at best: 1. The "man-centeredness" of many of the songs. Whereas most of the traditional hymns written before 1900 are focused on, singing praises of His attributes and adoring Him for who He is, modern songs tend to convey some version of "Do this for me, Jesus" or "Bless me more." Both are self-centered and reveal little theological truth. 2. Many of these songs are not just theologically shallow; they misrepresent God. In days past, the minister of the church exercised alot more discernment over what was sung. One of the most offensive songs I have heard in recent years is "Heavenly Father, I Appreciate You." Appreciate Him?!? The infinitely holy Lord of hosts? I appreciate my neighbor who loans me his lawn mower. I revere and stand in awe and praise the name of our infinitely majestic God. 3. The music is more than just a backdrop to the praises to God; the music in many ways is an incarnation of the message. In other words, is a song of adoration really that adoring if it is put to a heavy-metal, 150-mile-an-hour beat? No, I am not against guitars and drums, but I do hold that an inappropriate style of music that doesn't fit the spirit of the message serves to distract the worshipers from praising God with their whole hearts and minds. This is a huge issue that falls into the discernment category. Are we worshiping God in spirit and in truth? Are we honoring God and giving Him the glory that He deserves? Or are we seeking to entertain ourselves and get emotionally worked up and keep up with the secular entertainment industry? Important questions that congregations should work through. --Joe! |
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27 | DOES GOD HEAR PRAYRS OF UNBELIEVING JEW | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 22232 | ||
"He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." --John 3:18 Does God hear their prayers? He hears everything. However, He hears the prayers of an utterly sinful, unforgiven group of people who have no right to stand before Him by any stretch of the imagination. How do you think a holy God is going to take such presumption? --Joe! |
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28 | Are we to follow the old testament? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 23770 | ||
Martha: We are not to forget about the Old Testament. Take a look at how many times the New Testament quotes the Old. Consider how many times our Lord Jesus Christ Himself referred to the Old Testament. We do not follow the rites and rituals of sacrifice and feasts and ceremonial clanliness, because Christ was the fulfillment of the Law for all who believe. However, the Old Testament is useful for Christians for many reasons: 1. The Old Testament reveals God's character as much as the New Testament does. Redemptive history begins with Genesis 3:15, and to ignore the OT is to ignore a great amount of the history of God's work to bring His elect back to Himself. 2. The moral commandments found in the Old Testament are still what should characterize the lives of those who are in Christ Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit who motivates us to love those commandments and who enables us to follow them. 3. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." --2 Timothy 3:16-17 That includes the Old Testament. Happy thanksgiving! "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." --James 1:17 --Joe! |
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29 | Islam believe christ except for what? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 26243 | ||
Islam holds that Isa (Jesus) is one of a long line of prophets leading up to Muhammed. They do not believe that He is the Son of God. They do not believe that He was crucified (and therefore not risen from the dead). They do not believe that He lived a perfect life. They do not believe that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore, Muslims are dead in their sins and storing up the wrath of God for the day of judgment. --Joe! |
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30 | is the bible the inerrent word of God? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 26248 | ||
Yes. --Joe! |
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31 | Bible publishing errors??? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 27638 | ||
Charlie: Tell your Mormon friend that grammatical errors are not the fault of publishers. The types of errors a publisher makes are typographical ones. The grammar mistakes we see in the 1830 Book of Mormon (which have since been "corrected") are due to a fallible, unintelligent "translator" of some mythical plates written in a non-existant language called Reformed Egyptian. The fact is that the LDS had to clean up Jospeh Smith's poor command of the English language. Incidentally, a lot of the differences between the 1830 Book of Mormon and present-day editions are not grammar corrections but actual replacements of words and phrases due to changes in LDS teachings (such as banning blacks from the priesthood due to the "curse" that was put on the Lamanites). --Joe! |
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32 | My husband and I are Christians . | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 28136 | ||
It is drunkenness that is condemned in Scripture. Wine was the common mealtime beverage (and still is around the Mediterranean). Our Lord consecrated wine for the Lord's Supper (yes, I am not a fan of grape juice and, yes, I know that exceptions need to be made). The temperance movement of the 19th century is what led to the abolition of wine in many Christian homes, and not any biblical mandate. Enjoy your wine and don't cause your brother to stumble (Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 8:13). --Joe! |
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33 | once saved always saved? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 28139 | ||
Yes, but please type in those exact words in the search box at the upper right! Happy hunting! --Joe! |
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34 | How important is your Church? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 29084 | ||
My answer is 10. God justifies us as individuals, but sets us apart into a body of believers. No such thing as the "Lone Ranger" Christian. The visible church is the commanded communion of saints on earth, and sanctification normally does not occur apart from that context. "For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." --Romans 12:4-5 --Joe! |
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35 | Church attendance not required | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 29331 | ||
Sandre: Your situation brings up a very good question. If by God's sovereignty you are unable to attend church on a regular basis, then obviously he is not going to hold you accountable for it. However, I hope that you are receiving sound instruction in the Word and receiving fellowship with other believers. The church I attend has a considerable amount of elderly people who are often homebound. One of the great things about God's people is that they continue to minister to those who, because of their circumstances, are physically prevented from being in the church building every Sunday morning. Therefore, I would encourage you to find ways to continue to fellowship as much as possible within the context of a local body of believers. There are excellent resources such as tape ministries which facilitate this, and church elders at a biblically-functioning church should take the time to visit you, pray with you, and include you as much as possible in the life of the church. --Joe! |
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36 | are we saved by grace alone? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 29370 | ||
Good question. We are indeed saved by grace alone through faith alone through Christ alone. The Bible also teaches that all of those who truly have been saved by grace alone through faith alone through Christ alone will indeed endure to the end. That in itself is a work of grace in our lives wrought by the Holy Spirit. This is what is known in Reformed theology as the perseverance (or preservation) of the saints. We are not only regenerated and justified by God, we are kept from finally falling away from the faith through the gracious work of God in our lives. In this way, we can easily say that both the passages on enduring to the end apply to believers as well as passages which say that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Those who endure to the end ARE those who have been saved by God's grace alone though faith alone in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone! --Joe! |
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37 | How do I refute evolutions finer points? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 31225 | ||
Vanagon: While there is indeed good information refuting neo-Darwinism, it is pretty much beyond the scope of this forum. Email me off-list (see my profile) and I will be happy to discuss these issues with you. Incidentally, natural selection ("survival of the fittest") is both observable in nature and not contrary to the Scriptures. One can very reasonably say that stronger animals survive in situations where weaker animals do not, without jumping to the outlandish conclusion that human beings came into existence by such a process. --Joe! |
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38 | Question concerning prayer. | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 32443 | ||
Chynna: A couple of things I would like to touch on here. First of all, we see that "formal prayer," as you put it, is practiced by most of the God-fearing men of the Bible. David prayed (the Hebrew word for the book of Psalms actually means "prayers"). The patriarchs and prophets prayed. The apostles prayed. Even Jesus, the Son of God, prayed to his heavenly Father (John 17 is the most lengthy example) and directed His disciples on how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13). So formal praying is practiced by God's people and commanded by Christ. One thing I might suggest: remember that even though God is always present, and present in a special way of the life of a believer, you and He are not equals. Even though we have been brought near to God, adopted through the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, we should never see Him merely as a "pal" or a "buddy" to chat with. He is the holy, perfect Creator and Sustainer of the universe and everything in it, including your very existence. He still hates sin witha holy hatred, including the remaining sin in the life of a believer; and the reverential fear of God is still called for among His children. Therefore, while I wouldn;t call our relationship with God "standoffish," it definitely is not a relationship among peers. He is our Father, but retains his position as the holy, almighty King of Kings. Bowing is certainly not out of order. Prayer, above all else, is an expression of our continual dependence upon Him for everything, for the preservation of our faith to the very next breath that we take. He is our Sovereign, and from my perspective "praying without ceasing" is a constant acknowledgment of and gratitude to our Provider, our Savior, our Lord for all of the grace and mercy he has bestowed upon us; as well as a constant awareness that our position as His children is in spite of our continuous rebellion against Him in our sinful actions. Perhaps dwelling on these truths will help you develop the disciplines of prayer. I would encourage you to read the Psalms as good examples of prayer. Take a look at other prayers in the Bible. Read passages which expound upon the character of God. Maybe writing down some prayers might help. In any case, God is "right there," but that does not excuse us from going to Him in prayer. --Joe! |
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39 | Church discipline | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 32597 | ||
"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and atax collector.Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." --Matthew 18:15-20 "For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." --Titus 1:7-9 "Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning." --1 Timothy 5:20 There's a start. Were you looking for something specific? --Joe! |
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40 | Difference between Catholic and Baptist? | Bible general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 32806 | ||
1. Well, there are a LOT of Baptists out there, with a wide range of beliefs. Generally speaking, however, the differences between the Roman Catholic church and classical Protestantism hinge on these five tenets: Scripture alone is our authority, rather than Scripture plus church tradition that carries as much or greater weight than Scripture. We are saved by God's grace alone, with our own merit contributing nothing to our salvation. We are saved through faith alone, rather than any combination of faith and works. Our works as believers are the evidence and fruit of our justification, not the grounds of it. We are saved in Christ alone. There is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). We are not saved by the church, even though we are saved INTO the invisible church of all who possess saving faith in Christ. We are saved to the glory of God alone. The best way to honor Christ in your relationships with anyone, whether they be Christians or not, is to have a thorough knowledge of Scripture, having a solidly Bible-centered theology. Study the Scriptures with your relatives. Examine the truths of the Christian faith together. If they are reluctant to have anything to do with the Bible, that is a pretty sure sign that all is not well in their alleged relationship with God. --Joe! |
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